FARMINGTON – School consolidation and the future of the W. G. Mallett School topped the list of concerns at the SAD 9 Candidates Forum on Monday.

Newcomer Claire Andrews and incumbent Robert Flick, both of Farmington, fielded questions from the small gathering.

A parent of two Mallett school students in Farmington, Andrews told the group she felt as a parent it was her “obligation to get the best educational opportunities that we can afford.” Money challenges, consolidation and budget cuts will be hard, but as an attorney she has worked with budgets and school law, she said.

For Flick, the board means acting as a group to serve the children, teachers and administrators of the district as well as parents. He said he feels there is a good representation on the board, and his love of children and desire to serve them has him running again.

Andrews is seeking the seat vacated by Joyce Morton.

Both candidates expressed concerns over the proposed consolidation of SAD 9, which includes Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld and Wilton, and SAD 58, which includes Avon, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips and Strong. Andrews’ concerns centered around such a large geographical area under one administration.

Flick feels the way school consolidation has been approached is wrong.

“It can provide some help but it’s not going to save any money,” he said. “The state and federal government continue to give us things to do without funding for them.”

Andrews agreed, saying she wished it didn’t have to be done. State officials say it will save money, but no one here says that, she said.

SAD 9 and SAD 58 are already working together to save money, but consolidating them is going to cost money, she said.

Both candidates strongly agreed that Mallett school should remain where it is; Andrews favors renovation while Flick favors a new building.

Mallett school users want to stay where they are, Flick said, and it would cost to do so. Renovation could mean extra expense to house students while the work is being done rather than keeping them at the present school until a new school is completed, he added.

Andrews said she cannot see any reason to move Mallett students to Cascade Brook School. A road would have to be built through a swamp and vernal pools with wildlife that would have to be moved. Also, she said, the Cascade building is starting to have problems.

She said she sees Mallett school as vital to the community, and when teachers found there was no money for field trips they compiled a list of walking field trips downtown at no cost. They visited places such as the Pierce House, where students have foster grandparents, and the library for a scavenger hunt led by the librarian. Classes could not walk to these locations from Cascade Brook, she added.

Andrews told the audience that a renovation would involve gutting the structure and replacing the 1960s addition with a new wing. Architectural plans would address any concerns, including asbestos, she added.

The $14 million project is doable, she said.

The town will elect directors from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 10, at the Community Center.